Welcome to The Beat’s Wednesday Pulse!

This series will check in with what’s coming out in comic stores each and every week, offering insight to some of the most anticipated releases on the stands. In the end, we’re hoping to shine a spotlight on things you might not know you’d enjoy… and hope to offer a space for you to share what you are excited for this week.

Please note: our opinions are ours, and yours are yours – and while we encourage you to share your likes, this is not a forum to discourage others for enjoying what they enjoy. Comics are for everyone.

PREMIERE PUBLISHERS

MODERN FANTASY TP
(Dark Horse Comics)

(Cover by Kristen Gudsnuk)

THE PUBLISHER SAYS // A young Ranger woman who came to the city with dreams of adventure, her drug dealing reptilian wizard roommate, and her boisterous Dwarf maiden BFF embark on a modern-day quest to save the world while struggling to keep their crappy day jobs and pay off their student and personal loans. Joined by a thief, an elf, a cleric, and a barbarian, the rag tag group are embroiled in an adventure involving magical amulets, the mafia, and a cult! Collects issues #1-#4 of the miniseries.

THE BEAT SAYS // A beautiful and hilarious mix of the everyday mundane and the fantastical. Basically, what if the tabletop adventures you went on were part of your life? And what if everyone you met during those adventures had day jobs they hate as well?

YOUNG JUSTICE #1
(DC Comics)

(Cover by Patrick Gleason)

THE PUBLISHER SAYS // Superboy! Wonder Girl! Robin! Impulse! Amethyst! They’re all united in YOUNG JUSTICE #1, the debut issue of a brand-new series that also introduces new heroes Teen Lantern and Jinny Hex! When the nightmare dimension known as Gemworld invades Metropolis, these teen heroes reunite to deal with the situation-but they’re shocked to discover the battle may be the key to the return of Conner Kent, a.k.a. Superboy! This mix of fan favorites and new legacy heroes will be the center point for some of the biggest goings-on at DC! As if that weren’t enough, Bendis reunites with all-star artist Patrick Gleason (SUPERMAN, ACTION COMICS, GREEN LANTERN CORPS) to bring the new heroes of DC’s Wonder Comics to life!

THE BEAT SAYS // Not only is this the launch of a brand new era of Young Justice, but it is also the first title from the Wonder Comics line headlined and curated by Brian Michael Bendis. Focusing on serialized young adult content, this line looks to introduce and revitalize the next generation of DC heroes for the next generation of DC readers. After reading this opening salvo, we’re excited to see what’s to come, as this really sinks it’s teeth in and starts to build something wonderful.

ATOMIC ROBO & DAWN OF NEW ERA #1 (OF 5)
(IDW Publishing)

(Cover by Scott Wegener)

THE PUBLISHER SAYS // No more sci-fi catastrophes for Atomic Robo. This is now a quiet series about the charming antics and sitcom misunderstandings that happen at a boarding school for future Action Scientists. Also, Robo’s hiding a secret AI son in the basement… Bye! Celebrating 10 years of Atomic Robo! It’s the dawn of a… wait a second… the title says it all! Robo as a teacher and a dad?! Heck yeah!

THE BEAT SAYS // One of the best parts of this series is the fact that each story could be someone’s first… and they’d be perfectly fine. This looks to be no different. Think of this as a more science based Hellboy series. It leans a bit heavier on funny moments, but the sense of time and world building and various monsters are still there. A wonderful book for all ages.

CRIMINAL #1
(Image Comics)

(Cover by Sean Phillips)

THE PUBLISHER SAYS // SERIES PREMIERE! THE RETURN OF THE MOST ACCLAIMED CRIME COMIC OF THE 21ST CENTURY! Hot off their bestselling series KILL OR BE KILLED and their original graphic novel MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JUNKIES, crime comic masters ED BRUBAKER and SEAN PHILLIPS finally return to their most-demanded title-as a new MONTHLY SERIES! In this double-sized (at no additional cost!) debut issue, Teeg Lawless is back in town. But he finds himself in more trouble than ever, thanks to his delinquent teenage son-and this time, fists and bullets may not be enough to solve his problems. A perfect introduction to CRIMINAL and its dark, exciting world, this series will also include back page art and articles to bring readers more fully into the noir experience.

THE BEAT SAYS // Speaking of series that require no prior knowledge to jump into, each and every story in the Criminal line function perfectly well on their own. Together, they build a years-long tapestry to a dark world with heavy noir influences. 

CAPTAIN MARVEL #1
(Marvel Comics)

(Cover by Amanda Conner)

THE PUBLISHER SAYS // ALL THE STARS ALIGN AS KELLY THOMPSON AND CARMEN CARNERO TAKE ON MARVEL’S PREMIER FEMALE SUPER HERO! As Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers has spent months in space protecting Earth from alien threats big and small, but now it’s time for Earth’s mightiest hero to come home. New York City has never looked so good. But every re-entry comes with the unexpected, and Carol is about to hit a whole lot of unexpected. It’s a fresh start and an oversized, star-studded welcome home for a hero who’s been punching the glass ceiling since the 1970s – and just in time for the first female-led film from Marvel Studios! The next 50 years of Captain Marvel starts here! 

THE BEAT SAYS // Marvel is putting their best foot forward with this series, hitting the stands just a hair before the Captain Marvel movie hits, and starting back with a grounded premise. With a bevy of backlog to choose from new fans will be able to nab pretty much whatever they wish to learn more about Carol Danvers and her supporting characters. What a remarkable time to live in, where folks new and old are discovering the rich tapestry of these superhero universes, in many various corners.

MORE FROM PREMIERE PUBLISHERS

BOOM! STUDIOS

ADVENTURE TIME SEASON 11 #4
BY NIGHT #7 (OF 12)
GO GO POWER RANGERS #16
WIZARD BEACH #2 (OF 5)

ADVENTURE TIME FINN TP
FENCE TP VOL 02
LUCY DREAMING TP

DARK HORSE COMICS

ALIENS DUST TO DUST #4 (OF 4) (MR)
GOD OF WAR #3 (OF 4)
JOE GOLEM #5 (OF 5) THE DROWNING CITY
LAGUARDIA #2 (MR)
PREDATOR HUNTERS II #4
TOM CLANCYS DIVISION EXTREMIS MALIS #1
WILLIAM GIBSON ALIEN 3 #3

TOMB RAIDER TP VOL 04 INFERNO

DC COMICS

ADVENTURES OF THE SUPER SONS #6 (OF 12)
BATMAN #62
BATMAN KINGS OF FEAR #6 (OF 6)
CURSE OF BRIMSTONE #10
DEATHSTROKE #39 (ARKHAM)
DREAMING #5 (MR)
GREEN ARROW #48
GREEN LANTERN #3
HARLEY QUINN #57
JUSTICE LEAGUE #15
MARTIAN MANHUNTER #2 (OF 12)
NIGHTWING #56
SUICIDE SQUAD BLACK FILES #3 (OF 6)
UNEXPECTED #8
UNITED STATES VS MURDER INC #5 (OF 6) (MR)

HARLEY QUINN REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 03
HELLBLAZER TP VOL 20 SYSTEMS OF CONTROL (MR)
INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FOUR COMPLETE COLL TP
SHADE THE CHANGING WOMAN TP (MR)

DYNAMITE

BARBARELLA DEJAH THORIS #1
HACK SLASH VS CHAOS #2 (MR)
RED SONJA #25
TUROK #1
VAMPIRELLA DEJAH THORIS #4

BOYS TP VOL 02 GET SOME ROBERTSON REMARKED ED (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 04 WE GOTTA GO NOW ROBERTSON REMARKED ED (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 05 HEROGASM ROBERTSON SGN ED (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 08 HIGHLAND LADDIE ROBERTSON REMARKED ED (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 09 BIG RIDE ROBERTSON REMARKED ED (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 12 BLOODY DOORS OFF ROBERTSON REMARKED ED (MR)

IDW PUBLISHING

BUBBA HO-TEP & COSMIC BLOOD-SUCKERS #5
DUCKTALES #16
EUTHANAUTS #5
HOUSE AMOK #4
LOEG TEMPEST #4
STAR WARS ADVENTURES DESTROYER DOWN #3 (OF 3)

COMPLETE CHESTER GOULD DICK TRACY HC VOL 25
DREAD GODS TP
MICKEY MOUSE 90TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION TP
MY LITTLE PONY TP THE CRYSTALLING
UNKNOWN ANTI-WAR COMICS HC

IMAGE COMICS

AUNTIE AGATHAS HOME FOR WAYWARD RABBITS #3 (OF 6)
BIRTHRIGHT #35
BITTER ROOT #3 (MR)
BLACKBIRD #4
BULLY WARS #5
CEMETERY BEACH #5 (OF 7) (MR)
CURSE WORDS #19 (MR)
DIE #1 2ND PTG (MR)
DIE #2 (MR)
FREEZE #2
GUNNING FOR HITS #1 (MR) // From the publisher: “SERIES PREMIERE! Set in the shady New York City music scene of the mid-80s, GUNNING FOR HITS stars Martin Mills, a record company talent scout with an inscrutable past. Follow Martin as he attempts to sign a rock band that’ll conquer the world in this music business crime thriller written by music producer JEFF ROUGVIE (David Bowie, Big Star) with art by MORITAT (The Spirit, Harley Quinn, Hellblazer). Plus: each issue will include a background feature and a Spotify playlist.”
HIT-GIRL #12 (MR)
KICK-ASS #11 (MR)
LAST SIEGE #8 (OF 8)
MURDER FALCON #4
OBLIVION SONG BY KIRKMAN & DE FELICI #11 (MR)
OUTER DARKNESS #3 (MR)
PRODIGY #2 (OF 6) (MR)
ROSE #16
SELF MADE #2 (MR)
SLEEPLESS #11

CREATURE TECH GN (NEW EDITION)
ECLIPSE TP VOL 03

MARVEL COMICS

AVENGERS #12
BLACK ORDER #3 (OF 5)
DAREDEVIL #612 2ND PTG NOTO VAR
DOMINO #10
FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #1 // A brand new Spider-Man series focuses down on the “neighbourhood” aspect of being the webslinger. A great companion to the bigger stories happening in Amazing at the moment.
ICEMAN #5 (OF 5)
IRONHEART #1 2ND PTG VECCHIO VAR
MAN WITHOUT FEAR #2
MARVEL PRESENTS #3 GOTG FACSIMILE EDITION
MARVELS AVENGERS UNTITLED ENDGAME PRELUDE #2 (OF 3)
MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #2
PUNISHER #6
SPIDER-GWEN GHOST SPIDER #4
STAR WARS #59
STAR WARS AOR JANGO FETT #1
THOR #9
TRUE BELIEVERS CONAN DEVIL-GOD OF BAL-SAGOTH #1
TRUE BELIEVERS CONAN SWORDS IN NIGHT #1
UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #40
UNCANNY X-MEN #9
WEB OF VENOM UNLEASHED #1 // Folks who are big on the current Venom run will want to check out this out… as these Web of Venom one shots seem to be pretty important to the main series. Usually written by regular series writer Donny Cates, this one comes from the regular series artist Ryan Stegman.
X-23 #8

ASTONISHING X-MEN BY MATT ROSENBERG TP UNTIL OUR HEARTS STOP
MARVEL SUPER HERO ADVENTURES GN TP CAPTAIN MARVEL
MMW MARVEL TEAM-UP HC VOL 04
MS MARVEL EPIC COLLECTION TP WOMAN WARRIOR
STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA TP VOL 04 CATASTROPHE CON
WOLVERINE OLD MAN LOGAN TP VOL 10 END OF WORLD
X-23 TP VOL 01 FAMILY ALBUM


FEATURED TITLES FROM OTHER PUBLISHERS

CLICK GN + HC
(HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT)

(Cover by Kayla Miller)

THE PUBLISHER SAYS // Olive “clicks” with everyone in the fifth grade… until one day she doesn’t. When a school variety show leaves Olive stranded without an act to join, she begins to panic, wondering why all her friends have already formed their own groups without her. With the performance drawing closer by the minute, will Olive be able to find her own place in the show before the curtain comes up? Author-illustrator Kayla Miller has woven together a heartfelt and insightful story about navigating friendships, leaning on family, and learning to take the stage in the most important role of all. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

THE BEAT SAYS // Stories of self discovery and confidence are always important, and having so many in this medium (including this great addition) makes us quite proud.

HOBO MOM HC
(Fantagraphics)

(Cover by Max de Radiguès)

THE PUBLISHER SAYS // Hobo Mom was collaborated on and drawn simultaneously by two cartoonists across the Atlantic: Charles Forsman, author of The End of the Fxxxing World (now a hit Netflix series), and Max de Radiguès, winner of a prestigious prize at the Angoulême International Festival of Comics for his 2018 graphic novel Bastard. Both of their clean line styles fit together perfectly to tell a sober and intimate story about an emotionally damaged family and the price of freedom. Tom lives a simple life as a single father of pre-teen daughter Sissy, but their estranged wife and mother has chosen a much different path. Natasha hops trains and has become a vagrant since leaving her family a few years earlier. After a dangerous encounter riding the rails, Natasha chooses to show up on the doorstep of the family she abandoned and finds an upset husband, although still deeply in love, and a little girl yearning for a mother. Can someone who covets independence settle down? Forsman and de Radiguès’s Hobo Mom explores the ideas of being trapped in domesticity and whether one deserves happiness, even at the cost of others.

THE BEAT SAYS // Two creators who are arguably at the top of their game, telling a tale about the hobo lifestyle and the choices we make for ourselves.

KAKURIYO BED & BREAKFAST FOR SPIRITS GN VOL 01
(Viz)

(Cover by Waco Ioka)

THE PUBLISHER SAYS // Aoi wants to work off her debt to the Tenjin-ya inn, but she only has one day to find a position and none of the managers are willing to hire a human! If she can just get someone to see past her family background, Aoi is certain she can prove her worth!

THE BEAT SAYS // Look, we’re the first to admit that manga is not our bag – but sometimes you come across books like this that feature a hook right in the title. 

BATH TIME WITH AQUAMAN BATH BOOK
(Downtown Bookworks)

(Cover by Morris Katz)

THE PUBLISHER SAYS // The perfect waterproof book to introduce little readers to the super hero who rules the seas! Tub time has never been more fun now that the littlest super hero fans can take a bath with their favorite aquatic super hero! Learn about how Aquaman can breathe underwater, communicate with animals, and keep people safe in this soft, sturdy little book. It’s also great for trips to the pool and the beach!
THE BEAT SAYS // Perfect. PERFECT.

MORE TITLES FROM OTHER PUBLISHERS

ADVENTURE VAN #5 (OF 5)
ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #295
ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN 66 #6
BARACK PANTHER VS TREMENDOUS TRUMP #1 (OF 1)
BLACKENING #1 (OF 6) (MR)
BLASTOSAURUS #5
BLOOD REALM #3 (OF 3)
BLOODBORNE #8 HEALING THIRST (MR)
CARSON OF VENUS FLAMES BEYOND #1
CATALYST PRIME ACCELL #17
CATALYST PRIME ASTONISHER #14
CONSPIRACY #2 (OF 5)
DOCTOR WHO 13TH #2 2ND PTG
DOCTOR WHO 13TH #3
EXILIUM #3 (OF 6)
FAITH DREAMSIDE #4 (OF 4)
FORMIDABLES #4
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #25
HUNTERS OF SALAMANSTRA #13 (MR)
IT CAME OUT ON A WEDNESDAY #4
ITS NOT QUITE MALIBU #1 (OF 1) (MR)
LIFE IS STRANGE #2
LITTLE GIRL #3 (OF 4) (MR)
MIDNIGHT MYSTERY #2 (OF 4)
MOTH & WHISPER #5
NULL FAERIES #1
PATIENCE CONVICTION REVENGE #5
PHANTASMAGORIA #2 (OF 5) (MR)
POSER #4 (MR)
RAGS #3 (MR)
ROCK & ROLL BIOGRAPHIES TOOL
SAVANTS #1 (OF 5)
SCRIMSHAW VOL 2 #1 (OF 4)
STABBITY EVER AFTER #1
STARGATE ATLANTIS UNIVERSE ANTHOLOGY ONGOING #2
STRANGERS IN PARADISE XXV #9
VAN HELSING SWORD OF HEAVEN #3 (OF 6)
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #85
WRONG EARTH #5

2200 THE ADVENTURES OF FRAN AND PICKY
ATTACK ON TITAN BEFORE THE FALL GN VOL 15
AXE-MAN OF NEW ORLEANS SC
BARBIE 3IN1 GN VOL 01
BETTY & ME TP VOL 01
BLACK DAHLIA SC
CAPTAIN HARLOCK DIMENSIONAL VOYAGE GN VOL 07
CASE CLOSED GN VOL 69
DR STONE GN VOL 03
DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS PLUS GN VOL 01
HAIKYU GN VOL 30
HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER GN VOL 33
HIMOUTO UMARI CHAN GN VOL 04
INVITATION FROM A CRAB GN // From the publisher: “If you are ever fortunate enough to see a crab strolling through your neighborhood, please follow its lead. By slowing down to a crab’s pace and looking around and about in this world, you too may discover life’s many mysteries that are hidden in plain sight. This English-language debut from artist panpanya collects eighteen short stories detailing the comicical, creepy and whimsical world of Japan’s indie comic scene.”
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS GN
LORD OF GORE TP
MILLIONAIRES MAGICIAN GN
MOORCOCK LIB HAWKMOON HC VOL 1
NO GAME NO LIFE GN VOL 02
NOTHING NICE TO SAY GN (MR)
PERSONA 4 GN VOL 09
PESTILENCE TP VOL 02
PHILIP K DICK A COMICS BIOGRAPHY HC
QUINTESSENTIAL QUINTUPLETS GN VOL 01
RIVERS OF LONDON VOL 06 WATER WEED (MR)
SALVAGERS TP VOL 02 WRECK RAIDERS (MR)
SCI THE JEWISH COMICS ANTHOLOGY SC
SHOWTIME AT APOLLO EPIC TALE HARLEMS LEGENDARY THEATER
SPIRIT CIRCLE GN VOL 06
TORSOBEAR TP VOL 01 YARNS FROM TOYBURG (MR)
TRISH TRASH ROLLERGIRL OF MARS OMNIBUS GN + HC
TWIN STAR EXORCISTS GN VOL 14
VOLTRON LEGENDARY DEFENDER TP VOL 03 ABSOLUTION
WARHAMMER 40000 TP DEATHWATCH
WARREN TUFTS COMPLETE LANCE 1955-1960 HC
WATER DRAGON BRIDE GN VOL 08
WICKED RIGHTEOUS TP (MR)
WORLDS GREATEST FIRST LOVE GN VOL 11
XII TP VOL 01 THE FATHER
YOKAI GIRLS GN VOL 06 (MR)

MAGAZINES

ALTER EGO #156
AMAZING FIGURE MODELER #66
CINEFEX #162
CINEMA RETRO #42 (MR)
CINEMA RETRO MOVIE CLASSICS: ROADSHOW EPICS OF THE SIXTIES
COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1647
RETROFAN MAGAZINE #3

BOOKS

A FRIEND LIKE PIKACHU POKEMON LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK
ALL GROWN UP RUGRATS LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK
ART AND MAKING OF AQUAMAN HC
ART OF MAGIC THE GATHERING HC RAVNICA
BATMAN IS LOYAL YR PICTURE BOOK
BLACK PANTHER YOUNG PRINCE YA NOVEL SC
BRITISH SUPERHERO TRACKING SURPRISING RISE SC
CAPTAIN MARVEL LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK
DC SUPER FRIENDS SECRET OF SHAZAM YR SC
DOCTOR WHO COMP HIST HC VOL 85 5TH DOCTOR STORIES 133-135
FUTURELOG ART BOOK SC
I AM CAPTAIN KIRK LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK
I AM DUMBO LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK
I AM MR SPOCK LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK
I AM THE GENIE DISNEY ALADDIN LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK
LOVE MOM & 2 HIT MULTI TARGET ATTACKS LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01
MAX AND THE MIDKNIGHTS ILLUS YA NOVEL HC
SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 137 GREEN EYES & GRAY FIST
SMALL AND MIGHTY ANT-MAN & WASP LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK
STAN LEE STORY TASCHEN DLX ED
STAR TREK DESIGNING STARSHIPS HC VOL 02 VOYAGER  AND BEYOND
STAR WARS FLIGHT OF FALCON PIRATES PRICE HC
STAR WARS RESISTANCE MEET THE PILOTS WOR LEVEL 2
SUPERGIRL IS PATIENT YR PICTURE BOOK
SUPERGIRL YA NOVEL VOL 03 MASTER OF ILLUSTION
SUPERMAN IS COOPERATIVE YR PICTURE BOOK
TIMELY CONFIDENTIAL WHEN GOLDEN AGE OF COMICS WAS YOUNG SC
WONDER WOMAN PERSEVERES YR PICTURE BOOK
ZORRO AND THE LITTLE DEVIL SC

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